Deerfield Band Wins Trophies

DEERFIELD BEACH — Members of the Deerfield Beach High School band brought home seven trophies from the All-Star Marching Festival held last weekend in Atlanta.

The 74-member marching band was one of two bands from Florida competing against bands from Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky.

``Competition is the key motivator for the band program,`` said Harry Stryker, who has been band director for eight years. ``It`s meant to be an educational activity. We`re not really concerned about the ratings.``

Deerfield competed against 10 other bands and came away with straight superior ratings for the school`s color guard, drum line and drum major, Stryker said.

The group won third-place trophies in the sweepstakes, field competition and drum major, and a second place trophy for percussionists.

``We felt good about doing as well as we did,`` said Stryker, adding this was the band`s first competition this year.